no, Regardless, this is the new era of the mid-Atlantic and Cali soccer industry. Money rules and it's too concentrated there. You don't see other ancient mariners like Portland, George Mason, Santa Clara on the map no more. Miami is too expensive and too remote. Southeast and Cali P5 proximity to concentrated industry money = nat. championship hope.
I think it depends on what you define as success for Pitt. I believe that winning all your non conference games against mid majors and at picking up the odd result here and there in the ACC can be done and is about where that program should be. If you think winning the ACC is deemed a success then there is no way. But there is no reason that program cannot win a lot more non conference games. Any word who is in the mix at Portland?
Look back to yesterday. I told you where he was going. Hope he has the same luck bringing international girls to West Point. Easy to convince an intl to anywhere is the US as he's done but Army is an entirely different animal. Also US government job going to an Englishman?
That's a good point as whats his name was losing to Duquesne and crap. But I don't think AD would find those wins enough. An AD has to drink the kool-aid for their own survival.
I, on this very forum, way back when Santoro got the job in 2013, told ayone who would listen he would turn the program around. No idea which threads these posts may be in, but they're out there. It doesn't make me a soothsayer; I just have worked with him before and knew his capabilities.
isn't there a 5 year commitment in the service academies. would internationals go into the army? Assuming soccer "student athletes" have the same commitment as regular west point kids?
I saw Fabio Boateng at a couple of showcases scouting for Y-Town and felt kinda sorry for him. He looked a bit uncomfortable and overwhelmed. Not mingling with other coaches, etc. Not many African Americans at these things. I knew he'd be up against it. i don't know the guy, could be totally off-base, it just struck me as my impression.
Open Jobs (20): As of 12/6 Portland UConn William & Mary Pitt UMass UALR Miami, OH East Carolina Richmond Towson Austin Peay Northwestern State South Dakota New Mexico State Marist Incarnate Word Prairie View A&M UMBC Fairfield North Dakota State Did I miss any? Who's next to hire....or close?
Giru and chch, I am with you. Interesting choice for Army. That doesn't mean that it's a bad hire, in fact I think it could very well turn out to be a good hire. Blewitt has done well in his time at UALR. But he had a current roster there that is 1/3 internationals that have done well for him and he has utilized his ties to England, Spain, and Iceland well. That won't happen at Army as you don't get internationals to come to US service academies. Right now there are exactly zero internationals on the Army roster, and if you look at the Army men's roster (much more likely to have internationals on the men's side) there are also zero internationals. Same thing at Navy where there are zero internationals on the men's and women's sides. But if he makes the adjustment to focus on domestic recruiting and gets the right type of student-athlete that is looking for the Army experience I think Blewitt can do really well there.
I am interested in what will happen with Pitt. From what I read here it seem like nobody really wants it. Do they just hire a successful midmajor coach? We are down in Florida for the Development Academy Showcase and our club coach mentioned that he heard Erickson from Northern Iowa was trying to get it. He has had success and if nobody else is interested maybe that is what they go for? What is going on with Uconn too?
I disagree with your profound thoughts, Trustee. If he makes the adjustment to focus on domestic recruiting and gets the right type of student-athlete that is looking for the Army experience I don't think Blewitt can do really well there.
Navy just went 16-4-1 and can contend for the Patriot League title on an annual basis. If Navy can do that, then so can Army with right person.
UIW is promoting their assistant, announcement expected this week. PVAM is interviewing and a decision is expected before Christmas assuming their leading candidate says "yes"
Updated as of 12:30 pm EST Portland JMU UConn William & Mary Pitt UMass UALR Miami, OH East Carolina Richmond Towson Austin Peay Northwestern State South Dakota New Mexico State Marist Incarnate Word Prairie View A&M UMBC Fairfield North Dakota State
You have to be a US citizen to be admitted to Army and I expect that's also true of Navy and Air Force.
Appreciate that CPThomas, makes sense. Assumed that there was that parameter to be eligible to be accepted at a service academy.
I also disagree with this latest profound comment, my dear Trustee. As a former National Guardist who's seen combat, I realize West Point graduates enjoy high probabilities of occupying exploding transport and checkpoints in ongoing nefarious wars. Especially women. The Army will scrape their ranks to find women to sheathe in kevlar and pat down burkas. Do you pretend soccer parent's don't view Annapolis as a far safer, same rewards alternative? Really, man. There is not another of your profound "right person" who exists. Do you not see the slide of all Army sports, most visibly, football, when compared to Navy and Colorado Springs in the 21st century? They be a reason. Maiming and death fears. I will grant, very recent and mild football success as the news of illegal American invasions, maimings and deaths have subsided (or blacked out) a bit.
Didn’t he just start at northern Iowa? Can’t imagine him looking to leave so soon. I think if Pitt are going to hire a mid major coach it would be someone in region. Perhaps Alvine at Duquesne? He’s done a good job there. Maybe Walker will send another assistant over to Pittsburgh?
If Erickson leaves....won't that be 3 coaches in 3 seasons there? The guy the Erickson replaced left after 1 season I think
The program seems to have done pretty well the last few years so can’t be a bad job unless the town or campus has something negative. I was surprised when James Price left a few years back as he seemed happy there.
I don't know. I think coaching is underestimated. A good coach can recruit and win anywhere. there are a lot of examples of places where people thought you couldn't win, but have had success. can a school win a NC, i don't know, probably with the right coach. There hasn't been that many NC coaches in NCAA history. For all the coaches that post on this board, i would think there would be more regard for the value of a good coach.